Measure B predictions never materialized
Two years ago this week Yorba Linda residents approved Measure B—the Right-to-Vote on Land Use Amendments initiative—by 299 votes out of 13,543 cast in this city's single costliest campaign to date.
However, none of the dire predictions of doom purveyed in $174,150 worth of color mailers, automated telephone calls and full-page newspaper ads wholly financed by outside-the-city builders and real estate interests have yet come true.
The misleading and untruthful statements in mountains of No on B material provide a cautionary tale for voters, as signups start next month for three City Council positions, and candidates begin planning new mailers, often written by well-paid consultants.
Measure B mandates that major zoning changes and General Plan amendments be approved by a majority of Yorba Linda voters in regular or special elections.
"Major" means increasing residential housing density, changing residential zoning to another type, changing to residential zoning with a density in excess of 10 units per acre or increasing the allowed number of parcels subdivided from an existing parcel.
Proponents gathered 8,647 signatures to qualify the ballot measure in 2005 but ran into a temporary roadblock when City Clerk Kathie Mendoza was directed to challenge aspects of the initiative circulation process in court.
The then-council—Allen Castellano, Mike Duvall, Ken Ryan, Keri Wilson and Jim Winder—authorized paying $151,662 to two law firms to argue both sides of the case as attorneys for the clerk and council, who were technically opposing parties.
A key argument from the No on B group concerned the number and cost of elections to approve or deny projects. The opponents forecast "non-stop unlimited special elections under Measure B" and said, "We'd be in a state of constant elections."
Of course, no elections have been held and charges the initiative would take funds "that could be used to increase our police services" and are "needed to maintain our parks" to pay for special elections also proved false.
The most deceptive scare tactic involved the long-sought Yorba Linda High School, which would have been "blocked" under Measure B, opponents stated. Actually, the $140 million campus will open on schedule September 2009.
Even the claim Measure B was "opposed by four decades of Yorba Linda leadership" turned out to be misleading, as only two current councilmen—Castellano and Winder—and five past council members—Mike Beverage, Irwin Fried, Barbara Kiley, Todd Murphy and a misnamed "Jim" (for John) Gullixson—signed ads as opponents.
A FINAL NOTE
State law requires campaign committees to identify themselves on election literature and list the major source of funding, if applicable.
So many voters were amused by mailers criticizing elections "dominated by developers and special interests” signed "No on B, Sponsored by Orange County Housing Providers, Major Funding by California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC.”
However, none of the dire predictions of doom purveyed in $174,150 worth of color mailers, automated telephone calls and full-page newspaper ads wholly financed by outside-the-city builders and real estate interests have yet come true.
The misleading and untruthful statements in mountains of No on B material provide a cautionary tale for voters, as signups start next month for three City Council positions, and candidates begin planning new mailers, often written by well-paid consultants.
Measure B mandates that major zoning changes and General Plan amendments be approved by a majority of Yorba Linda voters in regular or special elections.
"Major" means increasing residential housing density, changing residential zoning to another type, changing to residential zoning with a density in excess of 10 units per acre or increasing the allowed number of parcels subdivided from an existing parcel.
Proponents gathered 8,647 signatures to qualify the ballot measure in 2005 but ran into a temporary roadblock when City Clerk Kathie Mendoza was directed to challenge aspects of the initiative circulation process in court.
The then-council—Allen Castellano, Mike Duvall, Ken Ryan, Keri Wilson and Jim Winder—authorized paying $151,662 to two law firms to argue both sides of the case as attorneys for the clerk and council, who were technically opposing parties.
A key argument from the No on B group concerned the number and cost of elections to approve or deny projects. The opponents forecast "non-stop unlimited special elections under Measure B" and said, "We'd be in a state of constant elections."
Of course, no elections have been held and charges the initiative would take funds "that could be used to increase our police services" and are "needed to maintain our parks" to pay for special elections also proved false.
The most deceptive scare tactic involved the long-sought Yorba Linda High School, which would have been "blocked" under Measure B, opponents stated. Actually, the $140 million campus will open on schedule September 2009.
Even the claim Measure B was "opposed by four decades of Yorba Linda leadership" turned out to be misleading, as only two current councilmen—Castellano and Winder—and five past council members—Mike Beverage, Irwin Fried, Barbara Kiley, Todd Murphy and a misnamed "Jim" (for John) Gullixson—signed ads as opponents.
A FINAL NOTE
State law requires campaign committees to identify themselves on election literature and list the major source of funding, if applicable.
So many voters were amused by mailers criticizing elections "dominated by developers and special interests” signed "No on B, Sponsored by Orange County Housing Providers, Major Funding by California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC.”
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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